Device for fastening intermediary plates on a mold wall

ABSTRACT

A device for fastening intermediary plates to the wall of a mold includes a supporting frame formed of a pair of vertically arranged arms pivotally connected together at their upper ends and a member associated with the arms for moving them away from and toward one another. Located at the lower ends of each arm is at least one setting gun and upper and lower grippers for holding a plate prior to its attachment to the mold by the gun. The setting guns are arranged in pairs with the driving direction of the guns in each pair being disposed 180* apart. A carrier is pivotally attached to the lower end of each of the arms. The guns in each pair are each rigidly attached to a different one of the carriers and the upper gripper is also rigidly attached to the carrier. The lower gripper is arranged for pivotal movement separate from the upper gripper and it is spring biased in the driving direction of the gun mounted on the arm with which it is associated. The device is supported from a lifting mechanism so that it can be lowered into and lifted out of the mold. Moreover, a remotely operable firing device is connected to the guns so that they can be fired simultaneously.

United States Patent [191 Maier Nov. 11, 1975 [75] Inventor: ElmarMaier, Feldkirch-Tisis,

Austria [73] Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft, Schaan, Liechtenstein[22] Filed: June 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 480,484

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.267,702. June 29,

1972, Pat. No. 3,820,702.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 7, 1971 Germany 2133915 [52]us. c1. .L 227/9 [51] Int. Cl. B25C 1/08 [58] Field of Search 227/9, 10

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,354,658 11/1967 Leonardi227/9 X 3,368,730 2/1968 Bayer 227/10 X 3.682.364 8/1972 Maier 227/93,820,702 6/1974 Maier 227/9 Primary EranziizerGranville Y. Custer, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady and Stanger ABSTRACT A devicefor fastening intermediary plates to the wall of a mold includes asupporting frame formed of a pair of vertically arranged arms pivotallyconnected together at their upper ends and a member associated with thearms for moving them away from and toward one another. Located at thelower ends of each arm is at least one setting gun and upper and lowergrippers for holding a plate prior to its attachment to the mold by thegun. The setting guns are arranged in pairs with the driving directionof the guns in each pair being disposed 180 apart. A carrier ispivotally attached to the lower end of each of the arms. The guns ineach pair are each rigidly attached to a different one of the carriersand the upper gripper is also rigidly attached to the carrier. The lowergripper is arranged for pivotal movement separate from the upper gripperand it is spring biased in the driving direction of the gun mounted onthe arm with which it is associated. The device is supported from alifting mechanism so that it can be lowered into and lifted out of themold. More over, a remotely operable firing device is connected to theguns so that they can be tired simultaneously.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11,1975 Sheet1of4 3,918,620

US. Patent REMUTE FIRING DEVICE Fig.2

Nov. 11, 1975 Sheet 2 of 4 REMOTE LIFTING AND UPERATIUIN MECHANISM US.Pate nt Nov. 11,1975 Sheet3of4 3,918,620

US. Patent Nov.l1, 1975 Sheet4of4 3,918,620

DEVICE FOR FASTENING INTERMEDIARY PLATES ON A MOLD WALL This is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 267,702 filed June 29, 1972now US. Pat. No. 3,820,702, issued June 28, 1974.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a deviceincluding a supporting frame on which an explosive drivencharge gun ismounted for fastening intermediary plates to the wall of a mold and,more particularly, it is directed to a holder for supporting the platesprior to attaching them to the wall of the mold and to the arrangementof the setting guns in pairs for firing anchors in opposite directionsfor fixing the plates to the opposite walls of a mold, all at the sametime.

Setting guns for fastening intermediary plates to a mold surface areknown which are mounted on a supporting frame and have a holder for theplates positioned in front of the muzzle of the setting guns. The liningof a mold with the required intermediary plates takes up considerabletime because, if a known gun is used, the gun must be removed from themold after each use and introduced again into the mold for attaching theplates positioned in the holder.

As in many other steel mill operations, it is often difficult to havesufficient men available for fixing the intermediary plates to a mold.Accordingly, it is of particular importance that the operation ofanchoring inter mediary plates be automated.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention, to line a mold withthe required intermediary plates in a minimum period of time, and it ispreferable if all of the plates can be secured in place at the sametime.

In accordance with the present invention, one or several pairs ofsetting guns are mounted on a supporting frame with the guns in eachpair having their driving axes in substantial alignment and with thedriving directions of each gun disposed 180 apart. Further, whereadditional pairs of guns are arranged, the driving axes of the differentpairs can be arranged parallel and/or perpendicular to one another, suchas in attaching the plates to the walls of a rectangularly shaped mold.

By virtue of such an arrangement, the entire plate fastening operationcan be reduced to a minimum number of steps, that is, it is possible tofix at least a major part of all the required intermediary plates on themold wall in a single operation. If certain of the pairs of guns arearranged at right angles to the otherpairs, it is possible to secure theintermediary plates to the walls of a rectangularly shaped moldsimultaneously in a single securing operation.

To ensure the easy introduction of the setting guns into the mold withthe intermediary plates held in position by holders, the supportingframe is hung from a lifting mechanism for remote operation and the gunsare arranged in pairs movable in the direction of their driving axes. Bybeing able to move the guns in the direction of their driving axes, itis possible to displace the guns along a pressure path for effectingsafe operation of the insertion of the anchors or bolts which attach theplates to the mold. Further, a pneumatic or hyof the guns and the devicecan be operated by remote control from a location spaced from the moldsuch as for the remote control means of the lifting mechanism.

In place of the working cylinder, the movement of the guns can beprovided by the use of an electro-motor, an electro-magnet and the likewhich similarly can be remotely operated.

If the mold is small, pairs of guns arranged perpendicular to oneanother may get in one anothers way. This problem is particularlynoticeable in the corners of molds where there is a lack of sufficientworking space. Therefore, where the guns are located in tight quarters,it is advantageous if the guns extending perpendicularly to one another,are arranged in spaced planes which extend perpendicularly to thedirection of the supporting frame. With such an arrangement, all of theholding devices can be provided with the necessary intermediary plateswhen the supporting device is introduced into the mold.

Initially, the supporting device is lowered, preferably from a remotecontrol station, into the mold until the intermediary plates are inposition for attachment to the mold surface and the driving directionsof the guns in each pair are disposed apart. After the first group ofplates are attached to the mold, if required, the supporting device canbe lowered further into the mold until the plates extendingperpendicularly to the first group of plates are located in positiionfor attachment. Therefore, it is advantageous if each of the pairs ofguns disposed in parallel relationship can be fired simultaneously.

Furthermore, if the pairs of guns disposed perpendicularly to oneanother are all located in the same plane, such as in attaching theintermediary plates to a large sized mold, it is advantageous if all ofthe guns can be fired at the same time.

To provide a vertical component for the penetration of the nail into themold wall, the guns are tiltable in a vertical plane on the supportingframe.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the grippingmembers which form the holders for the intermediary plates. One of thegripping members is attached to a carrier which also supports the gunswhile the other gripping member is pivotally mounted on the supportingframe. The gripping members are located above and below the muzzle ofthe setting gun and are movable toward the plane of the muzzle as thegun is arranged in the firing position. With this arrangement, it ispossible to obtain a closely fitting engagement of the intermediaryplates with the surface of the mold,

though the mold walls are uneven. Since the gripping members arrangedabove and below the guns can be moved toward the muzzle of the gun untilit is in the firing position, the gun muzzle can be supported on theintermediary plate so that the pressure path required for safety reasonsin firing the gun can be provided.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexedto and forming apartof this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, referenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device, embodying the present invention, forfastening intermediary plates to, the wall surfaces of a mold;

FIG. 2 is a view, of the device shown in FIG. 1, as seen in thedirection of the arrow a,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, on an enlarged scale, illustratinganother embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 3a is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating still anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, a device or supportingframe 1 for fastening intermediate plates 23,24 to the wall surface ofmold 20, is formed of a pair of vertically extending and laterallyspaced arms 2, 3. At their upper ends, the arms are rotatably mountedabout a bolt 5 positioned in 'a; shackle 4. A suspension eye 6 issecured to and exte nds upwardly from the shackle 4. Each of the armshas a pivot axis or pin 7,8 at its lower end and a carrier 9,10 ismounted on each of the pivot pins. Rigidly secured to 'each of thecarriers 9,10 is an upper gripping member l2, 13 which forms a part ofthe holder 14, 15 for the intermediary plates 23,24 to be fastened tothe walls of the mold 20. In addition to the upper gripping members, asetting gunl6, 17 is rigidly connected to the carrier so that it can bepivoted with the upper grippingmember about the pivot pin 7, 8.

can be seen in FIG. 2, the arm 3 supports three setting guns 17 disposedin laterally spaced relationship. Each of the guns 17 has acorresponding gun 16 on the op posite carrier of the arm 2 forming apair of guns arranged in the same horizontal plane with their firingdirections disposed 180 apart. The number of pairs of guns associatedwith the supporting frame 1 canbe selected in accordance with thedimension of the mold 2 0 towhich the intermediary plates 23, 24 are tobe fastened. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom grippingmembers arranged at the ends of the pivot pins are biased by torsionsprings 21, 22 in the driving direction of the associated guns. To limitthe movement of the ,bottom gripping members 18, 19 caused by thetorsion springs 21, 22 stops 30, 31 are arranged on the pivot pins 7, 8and the bottom gripping members. 1

In FIG. l, a working cylinder 25, such as a hydraulic o r pneumaticcylinder, is pivotally connected by means of pivot bolts 26, 27 toflanges 28, 29 on the arms 2, 3. The working cylinder 25 is locatedintermediate the endsofthe armsand can displace the arms outwardlyawayfromand inwardly toward one another.

To clarify the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, only aportionv of the device is shown having several pairsof guns arranged inparallel with one another, that is the driving axes of the guns arearranged parallel to one another and in the same horizontal plane.However, as shownin FIG. 3 the device can be provided with twoadditional arms 32, 33 for supporting setting guns 34,35 andplate'holders 36,37 oriented at right angles to the arrangement of thesetting guns l6, l7 and plate holders 14, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thatis for securing intermediary plates to the surfaces of the mold 20.Where two groups of setting guns are arranged with perpendicular drivingaxes, as shown in FIG. 3, instead of the shackle 4, a head bearing 38 isused with two vertically spaced pivot bolts 5, one for each pair of arms2, 3 and 32, 33. In the event the mold is of a relatively small size, itis advantageous if the setting guns having their driving axes disposedperpendicular to one another, are located in vertically spaces planes,as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3a shows the perpendicularly arranged pairs of setting guns 16, 17and 34, 35 located in the same plane.

In using the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, initially, the guns l6, 17are provided with explosive cartridges and fastening members, and theintermediary plates 23, 24 are inserted into the holders l4, 15 formedby the upper gripping members 12, 13 and the lower gripping members 18,19 so that, preferably, a three-point support is provided.

The lifting and operating mechanism 60, shown schematically in FIG. 2,consists of a remote control panel for controlling operation of alifting member which is attached to the suspension eye 6 in the shackle4. The panel also controls the operation of the working cylinder 25. Bymeans of the lifting member, such as a conventional hoisting member, thedevice or supporting frame 1 can be lowered into and lifted out of themold 20, note in FIG. 1 the device is positioned above the top of themold ready to be lowered for attaching the plates 23, 24. With thesupporting frame located within the mold, the working cylinder can beoperated from the control panel for moving the plates into position forattachment to the mold walls. The supporting frame 1 is lowered by themechanism into the mold 20 until the intermediary plates 23, 24 havereaches the desired location for fastening to the walls of the mold.With the plates properly positioned, the working cylinders are actuatedremotely from the control panel of the mechanism and the arms 2, 3 aremoved apart for displacing the plates 23, 24 and the guns l6, 17 towardthe mold walls 20a, 20b. As the arms move away from one another, thelower gripping members 18, 19 are the first to contact the mold wallsand, in reaction, move rearwardly toward the plane of the muzzles 16a,17a of the guns. As the outward movement continues, the intermediaryplates 23, 24 are pressed by the upper gripping members 12, 13 and themuzzles 16a, 17a of the guns against the mold walls. By the continuedpressing of the muzzles of the guns against the intermediary plates andthe further retraction of the lower gripping members, the muzzles of theguns traverse a pressure path provided for safety reasons so that theguns are in the firing position and the fastening members can be driventhrough the plates into the mold walls.

By means of a known remote firing device 50, shown schematically in FIG.2, each of the guns mounted on the device 1 can be fired at the sametime. The device 50 consists of a control box located at an operatorsstation spaced from the mold and the control box is con necting over awiring circuit to each of the guns l6, 17. Preferably, the remote firingdevice operates electronically. As required, individual ones of the gunscan be fired or all of the guns can be fired simultaneously.

With the plates attached to the mold walls, the working cylinder 25 isreversed from the mechanism 60 and it displaces the arms 2, 3 toward oneanother and withdraws the guns l6, 17 toward the center of the mold. Ifall of the mold plates have been attached in one operation, then thedevice can be removed from the mold, or if additional pairs of guns arearranged in a second plane spaced vertically from the plane of the gunsinitially fired, as in FIG. 3, the second guns 34, 35 can be lowered,along with the plates to be attached, downwardly into the mold and theprocedure outlined above can be repeated for completing the attachmentof all the plates to the mold surface.

Where it is possible to do so, all of the plates are attached to themold walls simultaneously, since individual fastening of the platestends to loosen plates previously secured. If conditions do not permitsimultaneous attachment of the plates, a two-step operation is employedin a rectangularly shaped mold with the plates being fastened first toone set of opposite walls and then to the other set.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. Device for fastening intermediary plates to the walls of a moldincludes a supporting frame, explosive charge-driven setting meansmounted on said supporting frames for driving fastening members foranchoring the plates to the molds, and holders mounted on saidsupporting frame for holding the plates as they are moved into positionfor attachment, wherein the improvement comprises means for remotelypositioning said supporting frame within the mold, said setting meansincludes at least a first pair of setting guns with the driving axes ofsaid first pair of setting guns disposed in parallel relationship andthe driving directions of said first guns in said pair disposed 180apart, and means connected to said setting guns for remotely firing allof said first guns located on said support frame at the same time.

2. Device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said setting means includesat least a second pair of setting guns with the driving axes thereofdisposed in perpendicular relationship to the driving axes of said firstpair of setting guns and in said second pair of setting guns the drivingaxes are disposed in parallel relationship and the driving directions ofsaid second pair are disposed 180 apart.

3. Device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first pair of settingguns anad said second pair of setting guns have the driving axes thereofall located in the same plane.

4. Device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the plane containing thedriving axes of said first pair of guns is spaced vertically from theplane containing the driving axes of said second pair of guns.

5. Device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for remotelyfiring said guns are arranged for firing all of said first pair and saidsecond pair of guns mounted on said frame at the same time.

6. Device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for remotelypositioning said supporting frame within the mold comprises a mechanismfor lifting and lowering the supporting frame into and out of the moldand a device mounted on said supporting frame for moving said settingguns toward and away from the mold walls, and remote control meansconnected to said lifting and lowering mechanism and to said device formoving said setting guns for remotely operating said mechanism and saiddevice.

7. Device for fastening intermediary plates to the walls of a moldincludes a supporting frame, an explosion charge-driven setting meansmounted on said supporting frame for driving fastening members foranchoring the plates to the mold, and holders mounted on said supportingframe for holding the plates as they are moved into position forattachment, wherein the improvement comprises means for remotelypositioning said supporting frame within the mold, said setting meansincludes at least a first pair of setting guns with the driving axes ofsaid first pair of setting guns disposed in parallel relationship andthe driving direction of said guns in said pair disposed apart and atleast a second pair of setting guns with the driving axes thereofdisposed in perpendicular relationship to the driving axes of said firstpair of setting guns and the driving axes of said second pair of settingguns disposed in parallel relationship and the driving direction of saidguns in said second pair disposed 180 apart, said second pair of gunsdisposed perpendicularly to said first pair of guns being arranged inspaced planes which planes extend perpendicularly to said supportingframe, and means connected to said guns for remotely firing all of saidguns located in the same plane extending perpendicularly of said supportframe at the same time. I

8. Device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for remotelypositioning said supporting frame within the mold comprises a liftingand lowering mechanism attached to the upper end of said supportingframe for lifting and lowering said supporting frame relative to themold, and a device mounted on said supporting frame for moving saidsetting guns toward and away from the mold walls, and a control memberconnected to said mechanism and to said device for remotely operatingsaid mechanism and device.

1. Device for fastening intermediary plates to the walls of a moldincludes a supporting frame, explosive charge-driven setting meansmounted on said supporting frames for driving fastening members foranchoring the plates to the molds, and holders mounted on saidsupporting frame for holding the plates as they are moved into positionfor attachment, wherein the improvement comprises means for remotelypositioning said supporting frame within the mold, said setting meansincludes at least a first pair of setting guns with the driving axes ofsaid first pair of setting guns disposed in parallel relationship andthe driving directions of said first guns in said pair disposed 180*apart, and means connected to said setting guns for remotely firing allof said first guns located on said support frame at the same time. 2.Device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said setting means includes atleast a second pair of setting guns with the driving axes thereofdisposed in perpendicular relationship to the driving axes of said firstpair of setting guns and in said second pair of setting guns the drivingaxes are disposed in parallel relationship and the driving directions ofsaid second pair are disposed 180* apart.
 3. Device, as set forth inclaim 2, wherein said first pair of setting guns anad said second pairof setting guns have the driving axes thereof all located in the sameplane.
 4. Device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the plane containingthe driving axes of said first pair of guns is spaced vertically fromthe plane containing the driving axes of said second pair of guns. 5.Device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for remotely firingsaid guns are arranged for firing all of said first pair and said secondpair of guns mounted on said frame at the same time.
 6. Device, as setforth in claim 2, wherein said means for remotely positioning saidsupporting frame within the mold comprises a mechanism for lifting andlowering the supporting frame into and out of the mold and a devicemounted on said supporting frame for moving said setting guns toward andaway from the mold walls, and remote control means connected to saidlifting and lowering mechanism and to said device for moving saidsetting guns for remotely operating said mechanism and said device. 7.Device for fastening intermediary plates to the walls of a mold includesa supporting frame, an explosion charge-driven setting means mounted onsaid supporting frame for driving fastening members for anchoring theplates to the mold, and holders mounted on said supporting frame forholding the plates as they are moved into position for attachment,wherein the improvement comprises means for remotely positioning saidsupporting frame within the mold, said setting means includes at least afirst pair of setting guns with the driving axes of said first pair ofsetting guns disposed in parallel relationship and the driving directionof said guns in said pair disposed 180* apart and at least a second pairof setting guns with the driving axes thereof disposed in perpendicularrelationship to the driving axes of said first pair of setting guns andthe driving axes of said second pair of setting guns disposed inparallel relationship and the driving direction of said guns in saidsecond pair disposed 180* apart, said second pair of guns disposedperpendicularly to said first pair of guns being arranged in spacedplanes which planes extend perpendicularly to said supporting frame, andmeans connected to said guns for remotely firing all of said gunslocated in the same plane extending perpendicularly of said supportframe at The same time.
 8. Device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein saidmeans for remotely positioning said supporting frame within the moldcomprises a lifting and lowering mechanism attached to the upper end ofsaid supporting frame for lifting and lowering said supporting framerelative to the mold, and a device mounted on said supporting frame formoving said setting guns toward and away from the mold walls, and acontrol member connected to said mechanism and to said device forremotely operating said mechanism and device.